Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand
of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-4
A great fear among people is loneliness and social media is providing a way to combat loneliness. Christians need not fear loneliness for we has such a great crowd of witnesses who are our spiritual family now and in eternity.God uses means to accomplish his purpose and one of those meanings is the church. The church is more than a place to come and hear sermons or to attend Sunday school. But church, that is, the congregants are to participate in carrying for one another and by this love of God is placed into the heart.
Authentic Christians are those that maintain their focus on Jesus Christ and what He has asked of us towards one another and towards the world. If we maintain our focus on Jesus Christ then we will see how logical it is to make an unconditional surrender to the service of God. The children of God are not their own and have been purchased by God and now belong to Him. This focus on Jesus Christ makes sense to Authentic Christians so that with their passion they glorify God in all that is done and all that we are and we do not hold back in our growth until we fully come to understand. It is all about our attitude that determines our response to sin. Authentic Christians do not compromise to send port if they do so they are not without an immense shame. How can this be done? Only if our hearts are dead to sin.
Authentic Christians fixed her gaze upon Jesus Christ and see how horrified he is and you should be to send and be able to see the perfect holiness of God. Yes, God punishes sinful people, now, and on the last day. It is on thinkable, and it is a vanity to believe that God will not treat unrepentant sin with harshness. Authentic Christian able to see what a cost God to provide forgiveness. Gehenna, not hell, is where those who are ungrateful and do not respond to the one who existed from all eternity and develop a relationship with God who was willing to humble Himself and die upon a cross that which was a death of dishonor to the Romans.this Jesus was willing to do to provide for you and I am way to escape Gehenna.
Authentic Christians do not become Authentic Christians without growth in the love of God. authentic Christians turn to God and have the love of God demonstrated towards them and to be given to others, in other words a reciprocal affection. Authentic Christians keep the gaze steadily upon the cross of Christ and allow their minds and hearts to become dead to sin without any response to sin that keeps us from responding with hope and trust to enjoy an overflowing gratitude. Authentic Christians maintain an attitude of attempting to please God in all things and they know that when Jesus Christ returns for His church they will be lovingly accepted. authentic Christians desire to maintain that relationship with God and when that relationship is broken somehow they will become truly repentant. Authentic Christians do not desire to offend our God and Savior, rather they maintain an attitude to keep a relationship of love towards our God and Savior. This is the logical outcome of authentic Christianity. Authentic Christians hold firm and understanding of the great truths of our faith.
It is at the foot of the cross that our motivation is received and is the foundation as to how we treat our brothers and sisters, even those who do not claim Christianity. Jesus said: "As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). We are not alone on this earth and share with all humanity a common experience of life and also been desperately in need of a love of God and the forgiveness of our sins. It is true that man cannot save himself, cannot be good enough so that God would have to save you, no, yet you can receive the gift of faith and be received with open arms all the merit of the work of Jesus did upon the cross. Authentic Christians with this knowledge in mind should be moved to view our fellow brothers and sisters as objects of compassion and care. The world in general The world around us have an uncaring spirit even with all their philanthropy, with all the good things they need to, is motivated by self interest. This is not true of Authentic Christians for as we grow in the love of God we are motivated to help those in need, both in the church, and in the world. We are not to be just inclusive, no, we are to be judicial but not hateful and as Jesus endured the cross for us who are sinners and who has made a new life possible it is by this that our hearts are softened towards others. We treat others as Jesus treated us. Is this desire that drives us to take action that will express His love.
Let us shear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep His commandments:
for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall
bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Remember what Jesus has done for you
Richard L. Crumb
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